Games are Afoot Chapter 9
New Players
Ron and George were playing Wizard's Chess in the dark corner of the lounge. Fred and Ginny were in the middle of an extremely animated game of Exploding Snap on the other side of the room near a grimy window. Hermione was engrossed in a book she had discovered about wands and was intently reading. They were immensely relieved at being able to just hang out for awhile. Mrs. Weasley had worked them hard all morning.
Today's task had been to clean out the bedrooms they were sleeping in and they were exhausted. Truth was, though they would never admit it aloud to Mrs. Weasley, they were relieved to have their rooms more liveable. But, for now, they were all enjoying some downtime.
There was to be an Order Meeting at the house that afternoon and the younger set of occupants had learned over the course of the week they had been staying at Grimmauld place that the order was bigger than they originally thought. They had learned that, as unlikely as it seemed, Professor Snape was a member of the order. They had also discovered that time had done nothing to ease the tension between Sirius and Snape. They had been caught too close to the door when Sirius had unexpectedly fled the room one evening and had spent the better part of an hour being loudly reprimanded by Mrs. Weasley before dinner. She had gone on and on about the bad manners of listening at doors, of invading privacy, of how inappropriate their actions had been. Honestly, it was like a live howler.
After their chewing out, she had made them go to the basement to clean. It was a very long evening. The basement was creepy enough in the daytime, but at night it was down right menacing. Fred and George had made some interesting discoveries, but Mrs. Weasley had kept them working too hard to really explore, so they had plans to return later.
As they sat amusing themselves in the lounge, where they had been ordered to stay until the meeting was over, they listened to try to figure out who was there. They heard Bill's deep authoritative voice resonate quietly past their door followed by a short barking laugh that had to be Charlie's. They heard Moody's growl and Professor Lupin's calm response. Then they heard Mrs. Black's portrait screaming following a clanging thud and chuckled as they realized Tonks had arrived. The parade of people continued for at least ten minutes before silence overtook the hallway again.
"What do you suppose their topic is tonight Fred?" George asked seemingly innocent but with an eyebrow raised.
"Why George, you know mum specifically requested that we not set ONE foot in the hallway." Fred replied with a wink.
"Ay, that she did. And I would never disobey such a detail, would I. I honor my mum so my FOOT shall not touch the hallway." George responded with his hand raised solemnly as if he were taking an oath. But the illusion was ruined with his obvious wink.
"What are you two up to? Ginny demanded suspiciously.
"Us? Up to something?" Fred sniggered.
"Surely, you wouldn't think us so low as to be deliberately disobedient?" George added with a look of mock horror.
"No, but that doesn't mean you aren't up to something," Ginny countered knowingly.
"She's got us mate," Fred said looking not at all upset by her observations.
"Well, then, maybe she would be interested in being our lovely assistant." George looked toward Ginny questioningly.
"What would I have to do?" Ginny asked cautiously.
"I want in." Ron joined the conversation. "I'm dead bored. George stinks at chess and beating ten times in a row is getting old."
George pretended to be offended. "Well, despite the attack on my efforts to keep you little children entertained, I am going to let you help. Stay here, we'll be right back."
"You aren't supposed to leave this room during the meeting." Hermione reminded them in a very bossy tone.
"Granger, you are mistaken," Fred began.
"What?" Hermione asked stunned. She wasn't used to being accused of being wrong.
"You assumed mum meant not to leave the room," George continued.
"But she said—" Hermione started.
"That we shouldn't set ONE FOOT in that hallway until the meeting was over." Fred said imitating Mrs. Weasley perfectly.
"So your assumption," George said
"Was based on facts not in evidence." Fred added.
Ron and Ginny watched this argument with amusement. They loved to watch Fred and George meet a challenge, but they liked watching Hermione cave even more.
"You assumed that she meant for us to stay put," interjected George moving to sit on Hermione's right side.
"But she didn't actually say that did she? Fred suggested with a knowing look.
"You just think that's what she meant,"
"But she really just didn't want us physically in the hallway—"
"Where our innocent ears—"
"Could be assaulted by the details—"
"Of their very private—"
"Very secret—"
"Very interesting meeting." The twins concluded smiling charmingly at Hermione. She sat looking back and forth between the two as she contemplated the back and forth banter. Suddenly she looked smug.
"So you are saying," she began, "that as long as our feet don't touch the floor in the hallway, technically we can listen because she didn't specifically state that we couldn't hear the meeting? She just stated that she didn't want us in the hallway, correct."
"Why Granger, I do believe you are cottoning on." Fred teased.
"But, you know she doesn't want you to hear anything, right?"
"We don't know that at all Granger. That would be an assumption." George shot back.
"And why don't we want to make that assumption?" Hermione asked.
"Because, assumptions can be misleading, Miss Granger." Fred said condescendingly, shaking his head.
"We could also assume that she didn't want Mrs. Black's portrait going mental again!" Ron blurted out, moving towards the sofa.
"We could also assume that some spell has been put on the hallway so that it would be dangerous for us to set foot in the hallway." Ginny suggested.
"Or perhaps, Buckbeak is loose for awhile and that would be dangerous wouldn't it Granger?" George offered.
Hermione just looked at each of them skeptically. She enjoyed this banter and debate more than she let on.
"So you see, Granger" Fred began.
"Assuming things can be…" George continued.
"…Very confusing." They finished together.
"So if you won't set a FOOT into the hallway, what exactly are you proposing?" Hermione asked leaning forward. Ron and Ginny were eagerly awaiting their response too.
"Wait here." George said curtly.
"Be right back." Fred added.
Pop! Pop! The twins had disapparated to the astonishment of the other three in the room. They just looked at each other for a silent minute before two more pops announced their return.
"Technically, you didn't set foot in the hallway, did you." Hermione said with a giggle.
"You would be correct." George replied untangling what looked like a long squirmy string.
"What is it?" Ginny asked walking over toward Fred who was straightening his own version of the wiggly string.
"We would like to present—" said George dramatically.
"The newest addition—" Fred continued in the same tone as George.
"To Weasley's Wizard Wheezes." They finished.
"Yeah, we figured that much." Ron said sarcastically. "But what is it? What does it do?"
"It isn't dangerous, is it?" Hermione asked scooting back against the couch nervously.
"No, this is one of our….safer creations I believe." George said grinning. "You ready mate?"
"Yep. Let's deploy." Fred answered moving toward the door.
They let their strings out the lounge door and watched as they maneuvered towards the door to the kitchen as if they had been charmed. The action was totally silent. Hermione was impressed in spite of herself.
"What are they?" Ginny whispered excitedly.
"Give it a sec—" George said almost reverently.
"Prepare to be impressed." Fred said overconfidently.
Suddenly, the group could hear voices as Fred and George raised what looked like ear plugs for an ipod to the group. Everyone crowded around to listen. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny looked stunned for a moment and then looked to the twins.
"That's the meeting!" Ron exclaimed.
"Our brother, master of the understatement." Fred deadpanned.
"These, my dears, are called 'Extendable Ears,'" George announced.
Hermione was amazed. Fred and George were much more intelligent than they let on.
"That is—" Hermione started.
"The most bloody brilliant thing I have ever seen!" Ron blurted out totally impressed.
"Yes, Ronald, I know you're impressed." Hermione retorted dryly to the amusement of the others. "As I was saying," Hermione continued giving Ron a look that just dared him to try to interrupt her again, "That is an amazing bit of magic. How did you do it?"
"Ah," sighed George, "She thinks it's bloody brilliant too!"
Everyone laughed and then hushed again as they all listened. They heard that they were arranging guard duty but couldn't quite figure out for what. After about ten minutes they heard the meeting about to end and the twins recoiled the extendable ears and they all resumed their previous activities just as Molly entered the room.
"Well, you lot. I am pleased you listened for a change. Lunch will be ready soon and I made a treacle tart to reward you." She said amiably. "Wash up and get to the kitchen. Molly made her way carefully back down the hallway as the group in the lounge put away the games and books.
When she was sure Mrs. Weasley was out of range, Hermione walked up to Fred and with fire in her eyes asked, "How did you do it?"
"Trade Secret." The twins said together. "We could tell you but then we'd have to ki—"
"No need to get all dramatic about it. I'm just curious." Hermione snapped, stopping them before they could really get started. She walked away towards the door.
"Thanks for the admiration." George called to her.
"It means a lot that the brightest witch of her age is impressed with our bit." Fred added.
Hermione just waved over her head as she made her way into the hallway.
The others quickly followed and as they arrived in the kitchen they were surprised to find that only a few people remained.
"Where is everyone?" Ginny asked her mother sliding into a chair next to Tonks.
"Most had to get on and couldn't stay." Mrs. Weasley answered simply. "Tuck in."
Everyone ate heartily and chatted easily. Ginny and Ron cleared and Hermione helped with the dishes. When the kitchen was orderly again Tonks looked at the group. "Well," she began, "How shall we entertain ourselves this afternoon?"
"Us?" asked Ron.
"Of course," replied Tonks animatedly, "The grown-ups have to go out for awhile. Sirius and I get to babysit."
"Wicked." Said the twins with a smile. Tonks returned the smile.
"Shall we adjourn to the lounge?" Fred asked gallantly.
"Don't you lot give Tonks a hard time." Mrs. Weasley ordered sternly. "We will be back soon enough."
The group moved to the lounge and Tonks called up the stairs. "Sirius, come to the lounge!"
"Be right there, I am just getting something." He called back.
Soon Sirius joined the group. His eyes met Tonks' with a wicked glimmer of mischief that she recognized. "What are you up to?" She asked grinning.
"Oh, I just thought a little game of Flinch would keep these young hooligans in line."
"You do, huh?" Tonks responded with a full blown smile, knowing the kids were going to love this game.
"Hey George! He called us hooligans!" Fred yelled across the room.
"Aw, Sirius, I didn't know you cared." Oozed George with his best puppy dog eyes.
"Alright, alright. Can't you take a ruddy compliment?" Sirius muttered in pretend embarrassment.
"What's Flinch?" Ron said moving toward the group.
"Flinch is a marauder's game." Sirius explained with contagious excitement. "Moony actually deserves the invention credit, but we all added our bit."
Ron's curiosity wasn't the only one peaked. The entire group moved closer to Sirius. They moved chairs in to circle the black antique coffee table.
"Make sure you are comfortable as you all need to be able to reach this." Sirius stated as he produced from his pocket what looked like a petrified quill feather. It was snowy white and looked like it would be as soft as down, but when touched it actually felt like marble.
"I am sure you are all familiar with the game truth or dare?" Sirius inquired, his eyes scanning the inquisitive group. When all nodded in the affirmative, he continued. "Well in Flinch, we only deal with the truth, no dares."
"Aw, where's the fun in that?" George muttered.
"The questions asked have to be answered by the entire group. You each only get one question to ask. When the question is asked, everyone must be touching the quill. The quill is possessed of a charm that acts similarly to veritaserum, so it will know if you are lying. If you don't tell the truth, it will make you flinch. If you flinch, you're out. Last one holding on wins. Any questions?"
"What if you just let go instead of answering?" Hermione wondered aloud. Looking dubiously at Fred and George who were sniggering together.
"Just like a port key, once you touch it, you will not be able to pull your hand away until the round is over. That is why I suggested you make yourself comfortable." Sirius replied with an openly suspicious smile.
Ginny moved her chair away and grabbed a pillow off the sofa. She had a look of utter determination on her face. Hermione joined her on the floor. Tonks sat in a chair to her right. Fred, George and Ron took the couch across from the girls and Sirius settled in on the chair to the left of Ginny.
"I suggest a practice round with an easy question so you can all get a feel for the game."
Everyone nodded and followed Sirius as he placed his right index finger on the quill. A queer sensation of being glued to the feather passed through everyone. Ron tugged at his finger to test if he could remove it, but it just pulled the quill and everyone's arms toward him. He sheepishly moved it back to the center of the table as everyone chuckled.
"Doubting Thomas can be thinking of the first real question," Sirius teased. "Okay, here's the practice question. What is your favorite dessert?"
"Treacle Tart!" Ron yelled.
"Pudding." Said Fred and George together.
"Apple Pie." Tonks kicked in.
"Jello." Hermione said tentatively as six people looked at her with confusion. "It's a muggle food." Hermione said as she shrugged.
"Mum's chocolate cake." Ginny said moving the game along.
"Rum cookies." Sirius finished.
The quill released their fingers and they all chuckled thinking to themselves about what they wanted to know.
Sirius nodded and they all replaced their fingers. He looked to Ron to start the questioning.
"My question is—" Ron paused for drama, "What was the most recent lie you told?"
The twins looked at Ron in shock for a full twenty seconds. "That, dear brother, is a brilliant question! I didn't know you had it in you!" Fred congratulated.
"What is revealed here stays here, right? Ginny asked cautiously.
"Yes, I should have mentioned that. Wizard's Honor. Everything revealed here goes no further." Sirius said looking seriously at the twins.
"My turn then," said Fred. "The last lie I told was to mum and it was that I didn't break the ward on the pantry where she hid the chocolate biscuits." Ron smirked. He knew it had to be one of the two but he had taken the blame and had to scrub the dishes for two days because of it.
"Right then, I guess I'm up," interjected George, "I told my last lie to mum also, that I had degnomed the garden when really I only threw two of the blasted little buggers out."
"The last lie I told was to my boss," Tonks said sheepishly. "I told him that I was late because the floo was backed up, but really I had a little accident after breakfast and I had to go home to get a new set of robes."
"What did you do to your robes?" Ginny asked.
"I caught them on fire just while getting the floo powder ready." Tonks answered as her hair and her face turned a delicious shade of red. Everyone laughed.
"The last lie I told was to Professor Snape." Hermione said with apprehension. Every eye in the room was on her. "Well, he asked if I knew who broke into his special store cupboard and I told him I didn't know, but I did."
"So who was it?" Demanded Ron.
Hermione gave him a withering gaze. As he stared back, comprehension lit in his eyes. "OH." Was all he said.
"Come on Granger, who did it." George begged. Hermione looked around the group and then back to Ron. "Do you want to tell them or shall I?"
"Ickle Ronniekins! A thief! A shame to the name of…well not so much a shame as a right proud moment!" Fred said pounding Ron on the back heartily as Ron looked up with a smug grin.
"Aw, it was nothing." He murmured looking very pleased with himself.
"Okay, my turn," said Ginny. "The last lie I told was to Dad." Her brothers all looked shocked. Nobody lied to Arthur. They omitted, stretched, or tweaked the truth, but they didn't lie. "Oh, don't look so scandalized!" Ginny said sharply to her brothers. "He just wanted to know why I was so late for dinner the other night and I told him I fancied a walk. And he wanted to know where I went for my walk and so I told him that I walked down to the pond and sat for awhile, but really I went to town."
"You went to town by YOUR SELF?" shrieked Ron. "Bloody Hell, there are death eaters on the loose and you had to go shopping!?!"
"Calm down before you wet yourself. I didn't say I was alone. And I didn't say I was shopping." Ginny coolly replied.
"So who were you with?" Fred smirked.
"I have already answered my question." Ginny said firmly staring down her brothers until they backed off and relaxed.
Sirius had been watching everyone with amusement. He remembered many fun late nights playing this game, and so far, this group was not disappointing him.
"The last lie I told," Sirius began, "was today." He paused for effect. "I told Professor Snape that I thought he was a slimy-haired git." Everyone laughed.
"That's not a lie, Sirius." Fred chuckled.
"Sure it was, Freddie my boy, I think he's really a foul-mouthed, loathsome, slimy-haired git!"
The entire room burst into hearty laughter as the quill released their fingers.
"Who wants to ask the next question?" Sirius gaily asked scanning the group.
"I will." Said Tonks. Everyone returned their fingers to the quill. "Who would you wish to have here right now to talk to?"
"James." Sirius said quickly.
"Harry." Ron followed.
"Angelina." Fred said with a sappy smile.
Just then, the group heard the front door open. They paused as they listened to determine who it was. The door to the lounge opened and Bill and Charlie walked in still dressed in their traveling cloaks.
"Whatcha playin' at?" Bill asked.
"They're playing Flinch!" Charlie exclaimed. He didn't notice a certain member of the group squirming ever so slightly.
"Hey George—your up." Fred nudged.
"What's the question?" Charlie asked as he pulled up a chair between Tonks and Hermione.
"Who you wish to have here to talk to." Tonks repeated. "Okay George, you're up."
"I am going to have to go with Professor Flitwick, I have a charms question I have been toying with."
"I would like to talk to Remus." Tonks said with a twinkle and a look toward Sirius who returned it in kind.
"I-I-I-I wish for Harry. Yeah, Harry----ARGHHH!" Hermione yelled as the quill shocked her. "It shocked me!" She yelled.
"Of course it did. It made you flinch because you didn't tell the truth." Sirius laughed.
"So I'm out right?" Hermione asked looking almost relieved, though embarrassed.
"Oh no, you don't get out until after you tell the truth. The quill won't release till everyone has fessed up. Then you'll be out sweetheart." Sirius "reassured" her with a wink.
Hermione's face was beat red. Her heart was beating wildly. "Why oh Why did they have to show up now?" She asked herself over and over in her mind.
"Come on Hermione, it can't be that bad," Charlie said nudging her. She looked straight ahead trying not to make eye contact with anyone. She cleared her throat and looked at her hands. "Charlie." She whispered.
"Who? I couldn't hear you?" Sirius asked with a smirk.
"Charlie. Okay. I wanted to talk to Charlie." Hermione practically yelled looking down.
The room was silent. That is until a barking laugh caused everyone to follow suit.
"I think that is a great answer!" Charlie said in a booming voice that triggered another round of laughter. Hermione still had not looked up. Ron looked stunned but everyone else was smiling with glee. Bill shot Charlie a look that only brothers would understand.
"Alright then, I guess I'm next." Ginny began while still chuckling to herself. "I wish Harry was here to talk to." She looked up with challenge in her eyes, just daring one of her brothers to say even one word. They knew her well enough to let it go this time.
The quill released the fingers and Hermione scooted back to a chair. Charlie moved back by her as the game continued.